Silent electric switch means

ABSTRACT

A silent electric switch means comprising a body having first and second ends and a cavity therein, a switch member rotatably received in the cavity of the body having first and second ends respectively proximate to the first and second ends of the body, and a control means for rotating the member between terminal and intermediate positions about a longitudinal axis. The first and second ends of the switch member are provided respectively with first and second electrical contact means with the first contact means electrically connected with the second contact means, first and second plates respectively mounted on the first and second ends of the body each having respective electrical contacts, the contacts of the first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of the switch member when the switch means is in either of its terminal positions and disengaged when the switch means is in its intermediate position. A cylindrical surface of said cavity, having an arc of at least 180*, provides the only axis about which the switch member can pivot.

United States Carbonara I SILENT ELEQTRIC SWKTCH MEANS 76 Inventor: Carl (Iarbonara, RD. No. 4, P0.

Box 436, Uniontown, Pa. 15401 [22] Filed: April 13, 19711 [21] App1.No.: 133,506

[52] 1.1.8. Cl. ..200/164 R, 200/11 A, 200/166 BE [51] Int. C1....H0lh 21/30, HOlh 23/12, HOlh 23/28 [58] Field of Search..200/l66 BE, 164 R, 11 1,11 A,

Primary Examiner-H. 0. Jones Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Vanderhye Att0rneyJacob Trachtman 57 ABSTRACT A silent electric switch means comprising a body having first and second ends and a cavity therein, a switch member rotatably received in the cavity of the body having first and second ends respectively proximate to the first and second ends of the body, and a control means for rotating the member between terminal and intermediate positions about a longitudinal axis. The first and second ends of the switch member are provided respectively with first and second electrical contact means with the first contact means electrically connected with the second contact means, first and second plates respectively mounted on the first and second ends of the body each having respective electrical contacts, the contacts of the first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of the switch member when the switch means is in either of its terminal positions and disengaged when the switch means is in its intermediate position. A cylindrical surface of said cavity, having an arc of at least 180, provides the only axis about which the switch member can pivot.

10 (Claims, '7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAM' 9 I973 3.710.057

SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR CA /?L CARBON/IRA ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 9 I975 3.710.057

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOI? CARL CARBO/VARA ATTORNEY SILENT ELECTRIC SWITCH MEANS The invention relates to electric switch means, and more particular to silent electric switch means of the mechanical type providing one or more on" positions.

Heretofore, silent electric switches have been provided of the mercury type. The mercury switches must be positioned in particular orientation to obtain proper operation and do not provide a plurality of separate on positions, while the mechanical type has not provided the desired long service and durability as well as silent operation.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved electric switch means which is silent in operation and is smoothly and easily actuated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved silent electric switch means which can be positioned in any orientation for operation, is easily manufactured and inexpensive in cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved silent electric switch means which provides a plurality of different on positions for controlling the plurality of separate circuits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved silent electric switch means of high reliability, requiring minimum maintenance and being highly durable.

The objects as well as many other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a silent electric switch means comprising a body having first and second ends and a cavity therein. A switch member is rotatably received in the cavity of the body having first and second ends respectively proximate the first and second ends of the body, and first and second end plates each respectively provided with first and second spaced electric contacts. The switch member is rotatable between first, second and third positions with the second position being intermediate the first and third terminal positions. The switch member has first and second openings therethrough extending from its first end to its second end, and first and second electric contact means comprising first and second electrically conductive elements positioned within the first opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of the member, and third and fourth electrically conductive elements positioned within the second opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of the member. First and second spring means are respectively positioned within the first and second openings between their respective conductive elements and electrically connecting and urging their elements away from each other and toward the respective proximate first and second end plates. The first and second conductive elements positioned within the first opening of the switch member respectively electrically engage and connect the first contacts of the plates when the switch member is in its first position, the third and fourth conductive elements positioned within the second opening of the switch member respectively electrically engage and connect the second contacts of the plates when the switch member is in its third position, the contacts of the first and second plates being disengaged by the contact means of the switch member when the member is in its second intermediate position. The switch member has a lever extending intermediate the ends of the member for rotating the member between its positions, while a top plate is mounted on the top surface of the body covering its cavity and having an elongated opening for movably receiving therethrough the lever. The first and second end plates have terminals respectively electrically connecting with the electrical contacts of the end plates for connecting with external circuitry.

The above objects of the invention as well as many other objects will become apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the drawing, in which: 7

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a silent electric switch means embodying the invention connected with external circuits,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2+2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 on FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the switch means shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the switch means shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

Like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the figures, particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4 inclusive, the electric switch means 10 embodying the invention illustrated therein comprises a body 12 preferably made of an insulating or electrically non conductive material and having first and second ends 14 and 16 with fiat end wall surfaces, side walls 18 and 20 and top and bottom surfaces 22 and 24. The top portion 26 of the body 12 is enlarged over the bottom portion 28 and has a cavity 30 extending between the ends 14 and 16 of the body and intersecting the top surface 22. The cavity 30 is bounded by a cylindrical surface 32 with a longitudinal axis 35 extending between the ends 14 and 16 of the body 12.

A switch member 34 having first and second ends 36, 38 and an intermediate portion 40 is received within the cavity 30 of the body 12. The bottom surface 41 and the intermediate portion 40 of the member 34 have a cylindrical surface for slidably contacting the cylindrical surface 32 of the cavity 30 for rotation of the member 34 about the axis 35 within the body 12. A lever 42 extends upwardly from the intermediate portion 40 of the member 34 and above the top surface 22 of the body 12 when the member 34 is positioned within the cavity 30 of the body 12, to provide a control means for rotating the switch member 34 between its several switch positions.

The member 34 is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinal extending openings 44, 46 parallel to the axis 35 extending between its first and second ends 36 and 38. Contact means are received within each of the openings 44, 46, each comprising a pair of electrically conductive elements 48 which may be in the form of brass rotatable balls, electrically connected together by a conductive metal spiral spring 50 urging the elements 48 in the direction away from each other and making good electrical connection there'between while leaving the ball elements 48 free to rotate.

The pair of contact elements 48 and spring 50 are each retained within their respective openings 44 and 46 by the respective inner surfaces 52 of a pair of first and second end plates 54, 56. The end plates 54, 56 are respectively secured to the flat end wall surfaces of the first and second ends 14 and 16 of the body 12 by securing means such as bolts 58 extending through the openings 60 in the plates 54 and 56 and the openings 62 in the body 12, and the washers and nuts 64 threadily engaging said bolts. I

The plates 54, 56 are identical in form, having a rectangular configuration and being composed of an electrically insulating material. The plate 54 is provided with a pair of screw terminals 66a and 66b spaced along the bottom portion of the plate and extending from its outer surface 70, while the plate 56 is provided with a similar pair of screw terminals 68a and 68b extending from the lower portion of its outer surface 72. Each of the screw terminals 66a and 66b threadily engages the bottom portion 74 of a respective contact strip element 76a, 76b. The strip elements 76a, 76b are made of good electrically conducting material. The bottom portion 74 of each of the conductive strip elements 76a, 76b is cylindrical in form and extends between the inner and outer surfaces 52, 70 of the plate 54 so as to make good electrical contact with conductor means 78 which may be secured between the screw terminals 66a and 66b and the portion 74 of the strip elements 76a, 76b as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The elements 76a and 76b are each provided with upwardly extending portions 80 which may be imbedded in the plate 54 to provide a surface which is in the same plane as the inner surface 52 of the plate 54. The top end portions of each of the strip means 76a and 76b each provide an electrical contact region 82a and 82b respectively for engaging the contact elements 48 of the rotatable switch member 34 as will be explained below.

The end plate 56 is similarly provided with a pair of electrically conductive strip elements 84a and 84b, each having at its lower end an enlarged portion 86 threadedly engaging a respective screw terminal 68a, 68b and at its upper end the electrical contact regions 88a and 88b for engaging the contact elements 48 in the end 38 of the switch member 34.

A pair of end members 90, each provided with a pair of openings 92 and a cut out bottom region 94, are respectively received over the outer surfaces of the respective end plates 54 and 56 and secured in position by the bolts 58 received through their openings 92, and the washers and nuts 64. The end cover plates 90 leave exposed the terminal screws 66a, 66b, 68a and 68b for connecting the switch means to external circuitry. The end cover plates are also preferably made of electrically insulating material.

A top plate 96 which may be made of metal is provided with a central rectangular portion 98 which is received over and covers the top surface 22 and cavity 30 of the body 12 and the upwardly facing edge surfaces of the end plates 54, 56 and cover plates 90. The

central portion 98 of the top plate 96 is provided with an elongated opening 100 extending in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 42 of the switch member 34 is received through the opening 100 for allowing the switch member to be rotated between its several switch positions by actuation of the lever 42. The plate 96 is secured in position by the pair of screws 102 which threadedly engage the openings 104 in the top surface 22 of the body 12. The pair of ends 106 extending from the central portion 98 of the top plate 96 are provided for securing the switch means 10 with a supporting body in the usual manner.

In operation, the switch means may be used as illustrated in FIG. 1 by connecting one side of a load, such as the light fixture 108, by means of a conductor 1 10 to the terminal 680, while the other side of the load 108 is connected by a conductor 112 to the connector 114 of a plug 116, and the other connector 118 of the plug 116 is joined to the other terminal 66a of the switch means 10 by a line 119.

A second electrical load, which may be another light fixture 120 or other such means, has one side connected by a conductor 122 to the terminal 68b, while its other side is connected by its conductor 124 to the connector 126 of a secondplug 128 and the other connector 130 of the plug 128 is returned by a conductor 132 to the terminal 66b.

In operation the plugs 116 and 128 may be connected to the same source of electrical energization which may be alternating or direct current, or the plug 116 may be connected to one source of energization while the plug 128 may be connected to an independent source of energization. Similarly, while the plug 116 may be connected to a source of alternating energization of H5 volts, the other plug 128 may be connected to an alternating source of energization of 220 volts or to a direct current source of energy.

With the lever 42 of the switch means 10 in its extreme right terminal position as shown in FIG. 1, an electrical circuit is completed between terminals 66a and 68a which will be more apparent by reference to FIG. 3. In this switch position, the ball contact element 48 within the end 38 of the opening 44 of the switch member 34, engages the contact region 88a of the strip element 84, while the ball element 48 in the end 36 is positioned to electrically contact the region 82a of the strip element 76a. Thus the terminal 68a through the strip element 84a, contact element 48, intermediate spring 50, and contact element 48 engaging the strip element 76a completes the path between the screw terminals 68a and 66a. In this condition, the circuit is completed from the connector 1 14 of the plug 1 16 over the line 112 to the load 108 to the terminal 68a, through the switch means 10 to the terminal 66a and -back through the conductor 1 19 to the other connector 1 18. Energization from the source to which the plug 116 is connected is thereby delivered to the load 108.

When the switch is rotated by moving its lever 42 to the extreme left from the position shown in FIG. 1, the switch member 34 is placed in its second terminal position. In this position, the contact means such as the ball elements 48 move out of contact with their respective end contact regions 88a and 82a of the contact strips 840 and 76a and into contact with the insulated inner surfaces of the end plates 56 and 54, thereby breaking the circuit between the terminals 68a and 66a, terminating the delivery of power from the plug 1 16 to the load 108.

The ball contact elements 48, in the opening 46 of the switch member 34 which previously were in contact with the insulated inner surfaces of the end plates 56, 54 as shown in FIG. 3 move into contact with the contact regions 88b and 82b respectively of the strip elements 84b and 76b of the end plates 56 and 54. The lever 42 is shown in its second terminal position by the dotted and dashed lines at 133 in FIG. 3, while the ball element 48 within the opening 46 of the member 34 is shown in its translated position by the dotted and dashed lines at 48. With the switch means in its second terminal position, the circuit is completed between the terminal 68b and terminal 66b by the contact ball elements 48 and connecting spring 50 within the opening 46 of the member 34 by engaging the contact regions 88b, 82b of the strip elements 84b and 7612, so that a circuit is completed between the contact 126 of the plug 128 over the line 124 through the load 120 connected in series with line 122 to the terminal 68b and then returned through the switch means 10 to the contact 130 from the terminal 66b over the line 132.

When the switch member 34 is placed in its position intermediate the first and second terminal positions, the ball elements 48 fail to contact any of the strip elements, thereby electrically insulating the terminals 66a, 66b, 68a and 68b from each other and preventing the delivery of energization from either of the plugs 116, 128 to their respective loads 108 and 120.

It is noted that the wear on the contact elements is minimized by utilizing rotatable contact elements 48 which reduce friction and provide a silently operating electrical switch. The rotation of the ball elements also assures good electrical contact and minimum force to achieve smooth switching with long durability and wear resistance. The arrangement of the pairs of contact ball elements assures such operation, and provides a balanced double contact at each end plate equalizing the exertion of force by the contact elements thereby also increasing the efficiency of operation, maintaining the allignment and the ease of rotation of the switch member.

It is also noted that the arrangement disclosed, allows the utilization of separate power sources including emergency power means for operating emergency lighting and other equipment should the usual source of energization fail, by means of a single switch means. Because of the independent relationship of the set of switching elements, energization by different sources and voltages may also be utilized for providing different effects and providing energization at different levels, and different locations while isolating one circuit from the other. I

A modified form of switch means 10 is disclosed in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, which is identical to the switch means IO-described above except for the differences noted hereafter.

The switch member 34 received in the body 12 of the switch means 10 is provided with a single opening 134 therethrough, which opening movably receives the pair of ball contact elements 48 with the intermediate spring 50 urging the elements 48 away from each other and respectively toward the inner surfaces of the end plates 54 and 56. The end plates 54' and 56' are substantially identical to each other and differ from the end plates 54 and 56 of the switch means 10 by each providing a single conductive strip element 136, 138 respectively. The end plates 54' and 56' also each have a single screw terminal 140, 142 which respectively threadedly engage and clamp the conducting means such as wires 144 with their strip elements 136 and 138.

In operation, when the lever 42 is moved to its left terminal position as shown in FIG. 5, the switch member 34 is rotated to its position shown in FIG. 7. In this position,the ball contact elements 48 engage and electrically connect together the strip elements 136 and 138 completing the circuit between the screw terminals 140 and 142 to place the switch 10 in its on condition.

When the lever 42' is moved towards the right from the position shown in FIG. 5, it assumes its right terminal position causing the ball elements 48 to move away from the lose contact with the strip elements 136 and 136 of the end plates 54 and 56', while engaging the non conductive inner surfaces of the end plates 54 and 56', thereby electrically disconnecting the terminals 140 and 142 of the switch means 10 and placing the switch means 10" in its off condition.

It will be obvious that many of the advantages noted above in connection with the switch means 10 are also applicable to the modified form of switch device 10, and that the modified device is of highly simplified form providing high reliability with silent operation.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential atributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A silent electric switch means comprising a body having first and second ends and a cavity therein bounded by a cylindrical surface having a longitudinal axis extending between its ends, said cylindrical surface providing a circular arc of at least in a plane taken normal to its said axis, a switch member rotatably received in the cavity of said body having first and second ends respectively proximate the first and second ends of said body and a cylindrical surface slidably contacting the cylindrical surface of the cavity for rotation of the body about said axis within said body, thereby providing the only axis about which said. switch member can pivot and a control means for rotating said member between first and second positions about said longitudinal axis, said first and second ends of said switch member being provided respectively with first and second electrical contact means with the first contact means electrically connected with the second contact means, first and second end plates respectively mounted on said first and second ends of said body each having respectively an electric contact, the contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its first position and disengaged when said switch means is in its second position.

2. The switch means of claim 1 in which said switch member has an opening therethrough extending from its first end to second end and said first and second electric contact means comprise first and second e1ectrically conductive elements positioned within said member opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member and spring means positioned within said member opening between said conductive elements and urging said elements toward the respective proximate first and second end plates.

3. The switch means of claim 2 in which the conductive elements of'said contact means each comprises a brass ball, and the spring means is a conductive metal spiral spring electrically engaging and connecting said brass balls.

4. The switch means of claim 2 in which the opening through said switch member is displaced from and parallel to said rotation axis, and the control means of said switch member is a lever extending intermediate the ends of said member and projecting beyond said body for rotating said member between its positions.

5. The switch means of claim 4 in which said body has a top surface which is intersected by the cavity of said body, and includes a top plate mounted on the top surface of said body covering said cavity and having an elongated opening for movably receiving therethrough the lever of said member, said first and second end plates having terminals respectively electrically connecting with the electric contacts of said end plates.

6. The switch means of claim 1 in which said first and second end plates are each respectively provided with first and second spaced electric contacts, and said switch member is rotatable between first, second and third positions with the second position being intermediate the first and third positions, the first contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its first position, the second contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its third position said contacts of said first and second plates being disengaged by said contact means when said member is in its second position.

7. The switch means of claim 6 in which said switch member has first and second openings therethrough extending from its first end to its second end and said first and second electric contact means comprise first and second electrically conductive elements positioned within said first opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member and third and fourth electrically conductive elements positioned within said second opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member, and first and second spring means respectively positioned within said first and second opening between their respective conductive elements and urging said elements toward the respective proximate first and second end plates, said first and second conductive elements positioned within the first opening of said switch member respectively electrically engaging the first contacts of said plates when said switch member is in its first position, said third and fourth conductive elements positioned within the second opening of said switch member respectively electrically engaging the second contacts of said plates when said switch member is in its third position.

8. The switch means of claim 7 in which the conductive elements of said contact means each comprises a brass ball, and the first and second spring means are conductive metal spiral springs electrically engaging and connectin their respectiye brass balls.

9. The switc means of claim 7 in which the first and second openings through said switch member and said axis of rotation of said switch means are displaced from and parallel to each other, and the control means of said switch member is a lever extending intermediate the ends of said body for rotating said member between its positions.

10. The switch means of claim 9 in which said body has a top surface intersected by the cavity of said body, and includes a top plate mounted on the top surface of said body covering said cavity and having an elongated opening for movably receiving therethrough the lever of said member, said first and second end plates having terminals respectively electrically connecting with the electrical contacts of said end plates. 

1. A silent electric switch means comprising a body having first and second ends and a cavity therein bounded by a cylindrical surface having a longitudinal axis extending between its ends, said cylindrical surface providing a circular arc of at least 180* in a plane taken normal to its said axis, a switch member rotatably received in the cavity of said body having first and second ends respectively proximate the first and second ends of said body and a cylindrical surface slidably contacting the cylindrical surface of the cavity for rotation of the body about said axis within said body, thereby providing the only axis about which said switch member can pivot and a control means for rotating said member between first and second positions about said longitudinal axis, said first and second ends of said switch member being provided respectively with first and second electrical contact means with the first contact means electrically connected with the second contact means, first and second end plates respectively mounted on said first and second ends of said body each having respectively an electric contact, the contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its first position and disengaged when said switch means is in its second position.
 2. The switch means of claim 1 in which said switch member has an opening therethrough extending from its first end to second end and said first and second electric contact means comprise first and second electrically conductive elements positioned within said member opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member and spring means positioned within said member opening between said conductive elements and urging said elements toward the respective proximate first and second end plates.
 3. The switch means of claim 2 in which the conductive elements of said contact means each comprises a brass ball, and the spring means is a conductive metal spiral spring electrically engaging and connecting said brass balls.
 4. The switch means of claim 2 in which the opening through said switch member is displaced from and parallel to said rotation axis, and the control means of said switch member is a lever extending intermediate the ends of said member and projecting beyond said body for rotating said member between its positions.
 5. The switch means of claim 4 in which said body has a top surface which is intersected by the cavity of said body, and includes a top plate mounted on the top surface of said body covering said cavity and having an elongated opening for movably receiving therethrough the lever of said member, said first and second end plates having terminals respectively electrically connecting with the electric contacts of said end plates.
 6. The switch means of claim 1 in which said first and second end plates are each respectively provided with first and second spaced electric contacts, and said switch member is rotatable between first, second and third positions with the second position being intermediate the first and third positions, the first contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its first position, the second contacts of said first and second plates being respectively electrically engaged by the first and second contact means of said switch member when said switch means is in its third position said contacts of said first and second plates being disengaged by saiD contact means when said member is in its second position.
 7. The switch means of claim 6 in which said switch member has first and second openings therethrough extending from its first end to its second end and said first and second electric contact means comprise first and second electrically conductive elements positioned within said first opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member and third and fourth electrically conductive elements positioned within said second opening respectively proximate the first and second ends of said member, and first and second spring means respectively positioned within said first and second opening between their respective conductive elements and urging said elements toward the respective proximate first and second end plates, said first and second conductive elements positioned within the first opening of said switch member respectively electrically engaging the first contacts of said plates when said switch member is in its first position, said third and fourth conductive elements positioned within the second opening of said switch member respectively electrically engaging the second contacts of said plates when said switch member is in its third position.
 8. The switch means of claim 7 in which the conductive elements of said contact means each comprises a brass ball, and the first and second spring means are conductive metal spiral springs electrically engaging and connecting their respective brass balls.
 9. The switch means of claim 7 in which the first and second openings through said switch member and said axis of rotation of said switch means are displaced from and parallel to each other, and the control means of said switch member is a lever extending intermediate the ends of said body for rotating said member between its positions.
 10. The switch means of claim 9 in which said body has a top surface intersected by the cavity of said body, and includes a top plate mounted on the top surface of said body covering said cavity and having an elongated opening for movably receiving therethrough the lever of said member, said first and second end plates having terminals respectively electrically connecting with the electrical contacts of said end plates. 